I was Lost, Now I’m Found In France

It’s been a while since I last spoke about this topic and since then life in our little village is becoming more settled for us.

We are starting to make more friends – I’ve been really very grateful to everyone in our little village who has welcomed us. In fact on our school run my youngest daughter seems to know the whole village, as they all say hello to her and call out her name.

My priest is starting to know me – at the end of confession just before Easter he ended with “When I see you next week…”. We’ve chatted about the possibility of my teaching the catechism to English people who live here should the need arise and I’m searching for a place within the Church.

A little girl has come to our house on Wednesday mornings, and our eldest has been invited for a sleepover.

It’s sunny and people outside our two little bars are drinking and chatting – each time I go past them it’s English voices I hear.

 

On Saturday night our little family is going for a community meal in connection with the school.

Added to that I’m finally discerning why and where to go with this blog. For a long time I’ve assumed it’s content mixture is odd; along with my posts on devotion, spiritual growth and the Church I have my home posts. My little somethings, my joy in creating our home. Today the confusion I felt about it was finally relieved when I was remembering some advice I once gave to my aunt about her gift of clairvoyance. At the time I said to her that she should go to confession and then turn to God and ask Him how she should use that gift. Whatever gifts we have, after all, come from Him. If we put them to His service they will only be magnified – like the loaves and fishes.

I had been feeling like my little blog was silly when I dedicated time to homemaking – surely this was nonsense? I should be devoting all my time to God!

And yet….

Creating a home gives me joy. I’ve seen bigger houses and I don’t covet them. I’m amazed and grateful of what God has given me. Creating this home gives me such joy. Sometimes I focus on it too much to the detriment of other things, and then I pray, pull myself away and ask God to help me hold these gifts with open hands.

I also started thinking about these gifts God has given me. Isn’t it disrespectful of God to diminish His gifts – just as disrespectful as if I made an idol of them? It’s true some people are called to a more monastic life, but does that mean my gifts are sinful in comparison?

Then it struck me as to why this blog is important. The insight came from the proverb known as woman of valour. In this age that has seen womanhood hollowed out, tarnished and demented – where even the concept of being a woman is being negated – it’s actual counter cultural to enjoy and have gratitude for my role here in the home. After all Satan strikes the woman, not just Eve but throughout eternity as evidenced by his desecration of Mary. Why would he do that if there wasn’t such beauty or goodness in us as women, in our innate femininity?

So I’m going to continue with more purpose – dedicating myself to being a woman of valour. I hope you join me on the journey.

Can I add that this includes any male readers. Marcus has really supported me in this time of discernment and there are so many wonderful, strong Catholic men out there that truly support and uplift women in our roles as wives, mothers and sisters in Christ.